R.I.P. David Crosby, co-founder of '60s rock groups The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash

A long-lasting legacy will live on through some of the most influential music of the 1960s.

Associated Press

Few singers and songwriters helped shape the Sixties rock scene more than David Crosby, a founding member of two incredibly popular rock groups, The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (later known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.)

Crosby, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer according to Deadline, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 at the age of 81. 

In a statement released to Variety, Crosby's wife Jan wrote, "It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django."

Crosby was born in California in August of 1941. He dropped out of Santa Barbara City College, looking for a career in music. He started as a solo act in various Los Angeles folk clubs before helping create the Beefeaters, which later became The Byrds. 

The Byrds, a LA-based folk-rock band that delivered chart-topping covers "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!," rose to fame in the mid Sixties, as did singer David Crosby, who was with the group from 1964-1968.

By 1969, Crosby was with a new group. Crosby, Stills & Nash debuted their self-titled album in '69, which "went Top 10," according to Deadline, with hits like "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express." According to Deadline, the LP has sold more than 4 million copies in the United States. 

Per Variety, the group was already a staple on the American airwaves when the group "made its second concert appearance — with new member Neil Young in tow — before half a million people at the Woodstock music festival in Bethel, N.Y." Shortly after, the trio morphed into Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. 

In 1971, Crosby released a solo debut titled If I Could Only Remember My Name, which peaked at No. 12 the same year. 

Crosby was part of several reunion attempts for both bands, though he still maintained a solo career with the albums Oh Yes I Can and Thousand Roads

He is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, inducted with The Byrds in 1991 and as a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997.

The last album he released, For Free, came out in July of 2021. 

He is survived by "his wife Jan Dance, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from previous relationships," according to Variety

"Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music," the statement said in part. 

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34 Comments

brigarzmetv123 22 months ago
David's music at best was mediocre, he was best known as a spurm bank!! He would donate his spurm to lesbian's, he must have to the best of my knowledge at least close to 100 biological kids running around, how disgusting is that? Can't feel sorry for his passing!!
AgingDisgracefully 22 months ago
Wasn't David one of the first to use the phrase, "Oh wow, man."?
Bapa1 AgingDisgracefully 22 months ago
Remember when Jon Lovitz used to do an impression of him on SNL?
AgingDisgracefully Bapa1 22 months ago
Actually watching SNL!
Does THAT take me back?
Bapa1 AgingDisgracefully 22 months ago
Still watch and like SNL. But you know you're getting old when you watch a new episode of SNL and you have never heard of the guest host or the musical guest.
JustGeri 22 months ago
I posted this late Thursday on FB:

If I had more time, but for the moment…

🎼🎤🐦🎸🎶❄️🪷☀️🍁🎶⛵️🎶🏠👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎶✨🎼

Now those of certain generations must teach children well of David Crosby’s legacy …for all he contributed to the music world as songwriter, singer, guitarist and to Americana as a cherished icon. He began soaring up the charts as a Byrd with a tambourine. reminding us that there are seasons. We all need to turn, turn, turn, to gather stones together, to look up and down, and to embrace.

After leaving the flock and before there was CSI, there was CSN, then CSNY and back to CSN. Thankfully, all various combinations, individually and with friends, tours continued until just a few years ago. Along your long journey from the beginning, we met Guinevere, saw Judy’s Blue Eyes, rode the Marrakesh Express and even went 8 miles high. We won’t ask why so we don’t cry. We hoped you didn’t sigh, but knew we loved you.

Turning to sailing at a time had you pondering wooden ships and dancing in deltas. But there was always a very very very fine house to plant flowers in the yard.

While we may want to laugh later, many are weeping now…as it was your time to die. We would have asked for another song before you go if we knew. You were what you were and there’s so much more that I wish I could touch the sparrow to write about. Your living large, the professional and personal battles, being wasted on the way are all part of your story. But it will be your music and reach across the decades that will never be forgotten nor long time gone and we’ll still all follow your jingle jangle.

Peace, it’s not too late, be with you Mr. Crosby. Enjoy the Southern Cross up close. Thank you for not cutting your hair. Most of all thank you for the songs I’d belt out to while driving and still do whenever, wherever I hear one. You’ll never be a back up for any day in Paradise and your spirit will continue to call us …to remind us over and over there are purposes under Heaven.

🎼🎤🐦🎸🎶❄️🪷☀️🍁🎶⛵️🎶🏠👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎶✨🎼
musicman37 22 months ago
He played "Duke", the musician husband of Bonnie (played by Bonnie Bramlett) on an episode of "Roseanne".
Mblack musicman37 22 months ago
I thought that was an interesting episode. By then, I fear many did not know who Bonnie was. Only You Know and I know.

Actually, when I first saw David Crosby acting, I thought "that looks like David Crosby but it can't be".
CarolKelley Mblack 22 months ago
You guys just inspired me to listen to some Delaney and Bonnie and Friends on YouTube. Now to listen to some David Crosby.
Mblack CarolKelley 22 months ago
David Crosby appeared on a lot of albums but kind of in the background. So when Paul Katner did his space music in the early seventies, before becoming formally Jefferson Starship, Crosby's there. Paul Katner cowrote Wooden Ships. Looking at Wikipedia, I realized the other day I have a lot of albums like this
TheSentinel Mblack 22 months ago
In his later years, David Crosby looked more and more like Gallagher, the prop comedian.
LalaLucy 22 months ago
Another great talent gone. Prayers to all mourning the loss.
Runeshaper 22 months ago
R.I.P. David Crosby. I remember listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with my dad. Good times.
justjeff Runeshaper 22 months ago
Think of their "pedigree"... David Crosby - The Byrds, Graham Nash - The Hollies, Stephen Stills and Neil Young - The Buffalo Springfield...
Peter_Falk_Fan 22 months ago
I have the CD of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's album "4 Way Street". I haven't played it in a while, but it will get some playing time today, especially the songs he wrote, like 'Long Time Gone'.

R.I.P David Crosby
Bapa1 22 months ago
RIP. Big fan of The Byrds, and of CSN&Y. (In fact, listened to The Byrds today, and will listen to CSN's first album later.) Read his book, sad. Until recently, he had an 'advice column' in Rolling Stone, he was pretty funny. If my memory serves me correct, The Byrds reunited on the very first episode of NBC's Midnight Special, 1973 or 1974. Should look it up. Saw CSN in 1986 live in concert in Miami. They were great. he will be missed.
justjeff Bapa1 22 months ago
When I worked for AudioVision Studios in North Miami, FL some 20+ years ago, two of my employers (Ron and Howard Albert) were ex-engineers from Criteria Studios. They had engineered a couple of CS&N albums... and a large, framed black and white photo of CS&N (taken in a darkened Criteria studio) hung in Howard's office.

Here's the image:
Bapa1 justjeff 22 months ago
Cool foto. I forgot that they did record at Criteria.
musicman37 justjeff 22 months ago
A most iconic photo. It appeared on more than one album cover.
justjeff Bapa1 22 months ago
Yes... In the 1970s Criteria was known as "Atlantic South" thanks oi Mac Emmerman's great relationship with Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler...

Ron and Howard Albert engineered sessions for many Atlantic (and subsidiary label) acts, such as CS&N, Brook Benton, Derek and the Dominos, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton..

They've also worked on sessions for The James Gang, Betty Wright, The Eagles, The Allman Brothers, The Bee Gees...
justjeff justjeff 22 months ago
Here's a place where you can see/listen to a 2011 Skype interview with Howard and Ron...

https://stephenkpeeples.com/news-and-reviews/derek-dominos-layla-engineers-ron-howard-albert-1970-flashback/
Adamsfather45 22 months ago
Another rock music icon gone. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; one of rock music's all-time great groups.
Sway 23 months ago
R.I.P. David Crosby. Music that will live on.
MrsPhilHarris 23 months ago
I somehow ended up at a Crosby, Stills & Nash concert. I wasn’t a fan and barely knew anything about them, but quickly realized how many of their songs I knew. The sound was excellent. It turned out to be a really good concert.
Big3Fan 23 months ago
Turn! Turn! Turn!
Coldnorth Big3Fan 22 months ago
I love that song. It’s so true
Mblack Coldnorth 22 months ago
It's a Pete Seeger song. Actually based on part of the bible.
Coldnorth Mblack 22 months ago
I have been to a funeral In church and someone sang that song. Not a dry eye anywhere.
justjeff Mblack 22 months ago
The Book of Eccliastes...
timothys71 Mblack 22 months ago
Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1-8
Mblack 23 months ago
The most depressing book I ever read was his first, after he got out of prison. Here was a guy that was way up there, yet he sank so low. The only thing that really interested him for a while was hard drugs. He lost everything, including friends.

He did some tv acting, and played on of Captain Hook's minions in Hook.
Bapa1 Mblack 22 months ago
I read that book some time ago, it was depressing. Even Nash stopped speaking to him. He was funny in Hook.
LoveMETV22 23 months ago
R.I.P. David Crosby. Your contributions will live on through your music for now and future generations.
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